Community Improvement Committee - Feb / March / April 07′
Committee: David Pendergrast, Laura Semmelroth, Rachel Batch, Jeff Carpineta, Steve Geiger, Leah Lample, Anna Bodon, Rebekah Edwardson.
Chair: Jeff C. Contact: jeff@solorealty.com
In early 2007, a call was made for volunteers to sit a committee in response to the possibility of funding from DCED (Phila. Department of Community and Economic Development) and the increasing urgency of community issues. At the second meeting Jeff Carpineta elected to chair the group. Carpineta and Batch provided detailed minutes of most meetings. Minutes were submitted to the officers- their review and input was requested.The grant discussed was for $15,000.
Rebekah Edwardson, NKCDC accountant and EKNA resident sat the committee to inform us of the types of allowable uses for the funding. There was no clear estimate of when the funds would come, and there was no clear relationship between the forming committee’s efforts, and the effort of this ‘CIC’ group. How to handle of their missions overlaps but their initiatives were not syncing up. At the time there were 2 other committees in early formation.
Despite these unknowns the group meet 7 times two months and re-cast in a few ways- one as an initiative brainstorming collective. Each person decided to bering their personal expertise to the table via an initiative that could become part of EKNA’s strategic planning. It’s primary considerations were ways to address the resident needs as outlined in the “community improvement checklist” That priority list of resident needs was the result of round table workshopping/writing excercises at the Brewery months before by all members.
There was a tremendous wealth of experience within the CIC group- renovators, artists, research/database experts, an accountant, a real estate expert, landscaper, historian, chef, manager, teacher. The dialogue was always energized. .The group suggested the following for EKNA to pursue- regardless of whether or not the DCED grant funding was available- each initiative could be scaled/adapted. Members of the group were willing to personally take the lead on initiatives. That offer was not encouraged by the executive committee. The group also offered to lead the way as matchmaking group- in order to highly accelerate the formation of committees (which only a conception at that time) and thus gather the right persons to the needed initiatives. That offer was not encouraged by the executive committee.
Herein follows the initiatives suggested by the CIC group.
–Purchase a digital camera for the use of EKNA leadership and committees for such purposes as documenting problem properties or celebrating EKNA events. Use the camera to create a store of images for later use in funding acquisition and promotion. (Carpineta)
–Work to implement a version of the ‘Allentown SWEEP’ program that was a total success in Allentown PA- the program reversed the disregard of trash and sanitation ordinances in that town- and sparked a quality of life turnaround. (Lample)
–Implement a structured clean up intitiative in East Kensington supplementing the PMB block-ups with 4 additional in 2007. Work with whatever size area possible given number of volunteers after recruitment. Create a modest budget to patronize local food/bev providers for the day. Solicit local businesses for gloves/bags etc, and begin to build our own cache of cleaning supplies. More important, use the street presence during the clean-up to dialogue with residents, grow involvement, interest, and community confidence in EKNA. Utilize a new array of creative promo materials, and hand out vital info to residents. Budget was discussed- recommendation was made for $3,000** (see below) (Lample, Carpineta)
–Reach out to local youth to be involved in clean-up initiatives (street or lot) and devise a reward for them when they follow through. (Geiger)
–Start a seedling workshop with local children- beginning modestly with 5-10 children min- incorporate activity that could begin before the weather was warm by utilizing the Coral Street Arts House. (Batch)
–Pursue the adopt-a-can program in EKNA area or duplicate the effort of the 2006 CLI attendees. (Batch/Pendergrast) –Work with coordinator at CSAH ( Laura Semmelroth)- Arrange a display at the Coral Street Arts House of a show perhaps named ’Our Neighborhood’ a salon style exibition of photographs from the local households- from vintage to modern- that hung together to speak volumes of area history- and to tie generations or residents together physically at the event itself.(Pendergrast, Batch)
–Reach out to the Culinary Arts school in order engage youth in the creation of an herb/vegetable garden- and in turn a farm stand featuring what they produce. (Batch)
–The possibility of surveillance cameras was discussed. A well known member was highlighted as a great source of info- he had himself acquired and installed a video system behind his house. There was no consensus though that surveillance cameras were a choice initiative due to the logistics, the privacy considerations, the capital expenditure, and the responsibility to monitor. (Geiger)
– Pendergrast and Carpineta offered their experience with the Youth Works program where children are paid to participate in a summer workshop. Dave noted that the NKCDC is no longer participating in that funding source, but EKNA could create a project that would fit the Youthworks program/funding.
–It was formally recommended that $3,000 be devoted to website development- Copy writing/editing, evaluate appropriate content, Server hosting, content management. (Carpineta)
–It was examined whether the Recycling effort currently at play in Fishtown could be extended up to the middle of our neighborhood. Steve made contact with the person heading that effort in Fishtown, who said he could not extend, and that his own longevity was questionable. He remarked that the city had plan’s to institute ’stream-line’ recycling in our area. Stream line recycling is being piloted in 3 Phila. neighborhoods at this time. (Geiger)–Investigate whether Recycle Bank can begin work in this area. (Leah Lample)–The question was asked whether Lara and Laura were bearing most of the weight of Trenton Arts Fest. David knowing said that they were with some help from the officers. CIC unanimously agreed to help the Art Fest effort however/whenever needed. The message was sent. No help was requested. A general call went out for clean up day before the Fest. Could be that the major planning effort is much earlier (just after New Year).\
–Work to clarify the identity and role of block captains in EKNA area. What blocks are without one? Can the existing captains be called to a meeting? Is there any criteria at all for remaining a Captain? Use funds to sponsor a meeting of the block captains. (Edwardson)
–Cultivate an Art Program for children in EKNA area. Use the successful flower box project at Fleisher Art Memorial as a model. (Batch)
–Create a suite of EKNA promo materials to be utilized during clean ups, give away via meetings, mailings. Magnets,Brochures, Postcards, Bookmarks, Regular Flyers, and a large number of ‘Empowerment Folder’ materials. (Group)–Following Laura Semmelroth’s great ideas on how to increase effective communication with the 26th precinct, and given Anna Bodon’s great bi-lingual relationship with 26th officers- Carpineta made the following proposal- to make a call out to all EKNA members who have contacts or relationships with the 26th- to convene a private dialogue session between them and formulate a method of proceeding with our communication/needs over the next year.–After hearing scattered facts – know how – and frustration pertaining to tree plantings from countless directions- great tidbits from David Pendergrast, bits from Neighbors with inside connections at Fairmount Park, Jesse Gardner’s commentary, residents stories of bureaucracy, and seeing the victories happening in 19122- it was suggested that there could be a meeting to share all the knowledge on the topic- then come up with the smartest path for EKNA residents to pursue street trees.–Recognize the need for an aerial perspective on the neighborhood as rendered with GIS mapping and/or street survey- this view becomes crucial when persuing business outreach, land use concerns, prob prop concerns, desires for a park, organizing clean-ups, delegating promo activites etc. Funds might be used for map making, paying for Parcel Explorer etc. (Carpineta) –Begin to take stock of the immense talent in the EKNA community by starting to collect resident profiles from members who would offer to complete them. Template of resident profile was created and forwarded. (Carpineta)–Convert the energy and knowledge of the CIC committee into a committee development group, and actually get initiatives started within the committees.
Costs that were discussed for clean up initiative…….
–Gloves to given out- volunteers can work more freely, and safely. Two types 1) blue rubber finger/palm mason’s type gloves avail in bulk from Woods 2) latex medical type gloves $150–Food and Bev for after clean-up gathering (effort to patronize local businesses near clean-up OR continue with current Yards hosting?) If patronizing local business, then budget $150-200 per clean-up. $1250–Promo Materials for promoting the clean-up itself AND also for promoting EKNA- utilizing the door-to-door foot presence to distribute Magnets, Empowerment Folders, EKNA brochures, Window Stickers, Bumper stickers? or whatever imaginative things people come up with. These items can be used outside of clean-ups as well $1250( using print news to advertise was considered, the cost is high- greater emphasis was placed on using the print to write/review/celebrate/spotlight, not consuming money with ads)–Bags (if enough stock can not be obtained from the City.) $300–Allowing for little extra/overage- Approx total = $3000
$3,000 clean up for one year- food/bev/promo mat/mailings/dumping/supplies
$ Maintain reserve for next year clean up schedule.
$3,000 web development
$1000- good digital camera, paper, printer-fax-scan-copy all in one.
(Seek donation for these items to save)
$ EKNA promo materials $2000.00 for ongoing
$ Reinforce Arts Fest- $2000.00
$ 5% pass through to NKCDC
$ 1,000 misc. admin / mailing / copying / parcel database fees / planning maps etc. through the year.
Use remainder for any of the following
$ Organize the children’s workshop (art + planting)
$ Invest energy and funds into a sanitation enforcement initiative
$ Sponsor a conference of the block captains- current / new / and prospects.
